Window question or lack of I should say... other missing questions..

[LivingFate]

I'm in the process of cleaning out the chicken coop. I'm converting the rabbit hutch that is in the coop to nesting boxes, the door that is there has glass on the upper portion of it. But it stinks in there and its just mucky feeling- when I reliezed there are no windows in it... Can we just cut out holes and make some makeshift windows or do we need to install real windows and does it matter where there located? Theres no vents there either- do I need any?

Also I was going to pressure wash the coop once I clean it up best I can, let it dry and whitewash it. Maybe add the vinyl flooring to easier clean up. There is a pole of some sorts really up high- are the roosting poles suppose to high up? Its about 6 feet high up. How many do they need? ANd what is best?

There is no electricity in the coop- do they need lights, heat, fan anything of that nature?

thanks Louise

 

[cluckychick]

You can make ur own windows. Some people will cut holes and cover with HW cloth in the summer and cover with Plexiglass in the winter.

As far as fan, light, heat, that depends on what your putting in there when your putting it in and at what age.

Roost again depend on how many you have and should be higher than your nest boxes. How high u put them is up to you, I use the ladder method and so I have one starting at about 12" off the ground to about 6'. But I have one hen that will roost in the very top of the coop which is about 8'+ tall.

Pictures of your coop will give everyone a better idea of what ur trying to accomplish and therefore maybe give you better input.

 

[BeckyLa]

For me, at least, it would really help to have pics of your setup so as to get a better idea. But, yes, you need some kind of ventilation, preferably, imho, on the opposite side from the pop door and near the top to allow free flow of air. This can be done in several ways, I like to cut a hole as big as is practical for the size and shape of the coop, cover it with hardware cloth, and make a solid cover to put on the outside, hinged at the top so it swings out, then prop it open. This allows for flow of air and yet it's protected from the rain so the bedding inside doesn't get wet.

As far as roosts, for most breeds I prefer a 2x4 layed on it's side, so the 4" part is facing up, about 2' or so from the floor. The heavier breeds can actually injure their feet and legs from jumping down from too high.

Electricity is nice in a coop, I wish any of mine had it. If you possibly can, go for it and put in lights so you can check on them easily in the night, especially during the long winter nights. I also have a 8x8 coop with, imho, too little ventilation so I have a fan in the window blowing out, in hot weather fans are nice. I hate having to mow around the extension cord that runs clear out there so, yes, electricity would be nice. Heat is usually not needed in winter unless you live in a really cold climate and need to warm their water.

I hope this helps.

 

[LivingFate]

Alright I'm going outside to take pics-its a coop thats been here when we bought the house... Downlaoding we be the issue as me and technical stuff don't mix..Be back soon-hopefully!

 

[LivingFate]

Ok how do I download pics?

 

[cluckychick]

Go to Photobucket.com sign up for a free account and follow the online instructions to upload.

 

[LivingFate]

4.5 ft x 3.7 ft in the nesting box section, for 16.68 sq ft.
3.79 x 4 in the other area, for 15.16 sq ft.
TOTAL = 31.84 sq ft.
5.41 x 12.44 outside for 66.73 sq ft.

The coop is divided into 3 sections-the front when you come in as seen in the pic leads to the bunny hutch- but thats being converted into nesting boxes maybe- I may just rip that off. Should I make more nesting boxes? I have 4 silkies and 4 cochins, and dh surprised me a couple days ago with 4 guinea keets. Then it was divided into two seperate 'coop rooms" one with nesting box one without. I cut the wire on the bottom half so its really one big room about 4 feet up and theres still the wire dividing the room on the rest.

I was thinking of making a door pararell-sp to the door near the hutch to open up that space-makes it larger, which will leave me with enough room to get inside.

That leaves windows, whether to make the hutch into nesting boxes or remove, ventalation, do I leave the interior walls as is? I am expanding the run... What am I missing?

 

[johnmayersquare]

Wow! Love it and the plants around it are just awesome! Lucky you

 

[Chirpy]

That's too cool! A ready-made chicken coop ... wish we were all so lucky.

 

[LivingFate]

Heres some pics- Now I have 4 silkies, 4 cochins about 7 weeks old now. 4 guineas that are in brooder right now. How many nesting boxes should I have and how far up from floor? Window ideas? 2 maybe- what size? roosting poles will need to be added. Am I missing anything?